Callous-unemotional traits and their implication for understanding and treating aggressive and violent youths

Muñoz, L.C.; Frick, P.J.

doi:10.1177/0093854812437019

Callous-unemotional traits and their implication for understanding and treating aggressive and violent youths

Muñoz, L.C.; Frick, P.J.

Authors

L.C. Muñoz

P.J. Frick

Contributors

LC Centifanti fmnv66@durham.ac.uk
Other

Abstract

This article reviews the current research literature on the development of aggression and callous-unemotional traits. Research suggests there are two functions to aggression, reactive and instrumental, and each has concomitant cognitive and emotional factors associated. Furthermore, callous-unemotional (CU) traits (i.e., an absence of empathy and guilt) have been shown to be associated with the instrumental type of aggression. Research on CU traits suggests that there are distinct developmental mechanisms operating in the development of aggressive and violent behavior for youths with and without these traits. These distinct developmental mechanisms have important implications for the assessment and treatment of aggressive and violent youths.

Citation

Muñoz, L., & Frick, P. (2012). Callous-unemotional traits and their implication for understanding and treating aggressive and violent youths. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 39(6), 794-813. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854812437019

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Jun 1, 2012
Deposit Date	Aug 16, 2011
Publicly Available Date	Jun 12, 2012
Journal	Criminal Justice and Behavior
Print ISSN	0093-8548
Electronic ISSN	1552-3594
Publisher	SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	39
Issue	6
Pages	794-813
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854812437019

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Copyright Statement
Muñoz, L.C. & Frick, P.J. (2012). Callous-unemotional traits and their implication for understanding and treating aggressive and violent youths. Criminal Justice and Behavior 39(6): 794-813. Copyright © 2012 International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology. Reprinted by permission of SAGE Publications.